A nurse is administering a scheduled medication to a client using the institution's bar code system. The nurse has scanned the client's armband as well as the scheduled medication. The system has signaled a discrepancy between the dose ordered and the dose scanned. What is the nurse's most appropriate response?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If an error message is received during medication administration, the nurse must be diligent in determining the reason for the message and correcting whatever is causing the error. It is not possible to say what the appropriate response would be until the nature of the discrepancy is identified. It would be prudent to enlist the help of a colleague to ensure the right decision is made. Placing the medication on hold until the next dose may be unsafe.

A Nurse Is Administering a Scheduled Medication to a Client